Translation service

Languages

French

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Mandarin

The process

Dominique Brémond is accredited by the French Consulate in San Francisco and can issue certified translations upon request. There is no additional fee to certify a translation.

If you need a translation certified true to the original, please bring your original document with you when you come to pick up the translation.
If you do not live in San Francisco, please send your original document.
If you do not have an original document, the translation may also be certified true to the attached document.

Faxes or copies of emails are not considered originals by the French government, but the translation can be certified true to the attached document. (the copy or document you sent us by email or fax).

To begin a translation

In order to start translating a document we need your approval and a credit card number. Cash or check deposits are also accepted.

Turn around time

Our regular turn around time is 3 to 5 days (depending on the number of documents you need us to translate and their length), but we always try to complete short documents within 2 days. We also have rush rates. Please call our office at 415.362.3666 for more details.

Quality control

Every translation is proofed a minimum of 3 times.

Pick-up and delivery of translations

Certified translations need to be picked-up in person or mailed. One page translations may be sent by regular mail at no charge. Other documents will be sent by FedEx at your charge. Non certified translations may be faxed or emailed.

Other documents

Important

F.A.Q.

1What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is issued on the translator’s letterhead, attached to the original document or a copy, stamped and signed by a certified translator.

Dominique Bremond is a translator, certified by the French Consulate in San Francisco since 1992.
Please verify with the organization requesting a certified translation if the translation must be certified “true to the original” or if a certification “true to the copy” of your document will suffice. If you need a translation certified true to the original, we must see your original. An email is not considered an original document.

There is no extra cost for a certified translation. The certification is included in the price we quote.

When a document and its translation need to be sent to a French court or government office, you will have to bring the certified translation to the French Consulate where it will be legalized. The fee is $18 per legalization, but fluctuates according to the dollar-euro exchange rate.

If your document needs to be notarized, you will have to find a notary public. There is probably one in your neighborhood. Most banks, insurance companies and UPS stores have a notary on their premises. The translator cannot notarize his or her translation.
www.123notary.com/148/Notary_Public/San_Francisco_CA/

4What is an Apostille?

An Apostille is a document issued by the Secretary of State (Sacramento, California, or search online for offices in other States) to certify the authenticity of the signature on an official document (birth, marriage, death certificate, divorce, etc.). Since Apostilles are recognized by the United States, France and 67 other countries, they do not have to be translated.
www.sos.ca.gov/business/notary/authentication.htm

5What is the difference between an original and a certified copy of a birth certificate?

An original birth certificate is the document your parents received after your birth.

A certified copy of a birth certificate is issued by the city where you were born.

The French Consulate and French government agencies require a recent (issued less than 3 months prior) certified copy of your birth certificate.

In the US, you can request a certified copy of your birth certificate online or by mail depending on where you were born.

In France, you can request a certified copy of your French birth certificate online on the web site of the city where you were born. Major French cities have a web site providing copies of birth certificates upon request at no charge. They will mail it to your US address.

The certified copy has the same legal standing as the original your parents received at your birth.

We do not recommend beginning the translation from your original document since there may be extra fees for changes required when you bring us an updated version of your document (the certified copy).

About us

The French Class has provided a dynamic, supportive and fun environment to learn or practice French since 1992. Read the director's message.